Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to prove that they are still a “special” side when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The city must surpass the real in a two -foot draw to secure their position in the last 16 of the competition after the 22nd completion of the newly established phase of the championship.
In fact, the winners of 2023 needed a win over Club Brugge in their final game to avoid the competition, and are also down fifth in the Premier League during the poor season so far.
Before the first leg of Tuesday in Etihad, Guardiola said: “The stage of the team, the knockout stage is always difficult, we have not done well enough on the group scene, so we deserve to be where we are. The draw is the draw and (we) accept the challenge.
“We play the second game away because we weren’t good enough at the team stage. We didn’t deserve it (to go straight in the last 16).
But the boss of the city insisted: “Our team, our team, has something special and we hope that tomorrow we can prove it.
“I will not deny how confidence with the players who gave us this incredible decade, gaining a lot of things and playing a high level, I know what we are capable.
“Of course, we will prepare today with the team, what we are going to question and hope that we can perform well.”
Ruben 💬 Since I was here, this is probably the most difficult season so far, but I am stable loyal that in the most difficult scenario, you can still achieve something beautiful. We know it will be difficult to get there, but we have to believe in what we have in… pic.twitter.com/fgyjroz9ax
– Manchester City (@mancity) Feb 1025 1025
City and rivalry of Real Madrid
The tie will be the fourth consecutive season that the city and real have pulled each other in the Champions League knockout stages, and the three previous meetings come to the semifinals.
Their constant battles, who saw the real progress twice and the city once on the road to win the second in 2023, led many to regard the meeting as one of the great contemporary football rivalries.
In this sense, Guardiola added: “As for the last decade yes, perhaps, because it is not normal to play the same opponent all the time.
“In terms of history, the Champions League, in the end we cannot compare to be honest against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Milan. This kind of team.
“We have been around the last decade. In recent years, the tie is playing against them.”
The Front Four of the Real Threat
The city will be tested by some of Europe’s most deadly attackers on Tuesday, with a real line of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
“It is impossible in 90/120/200 minutes to control these players,” Guardiola said.
“They are excellent how they combine, runners, the ability against one, how they hold the ball, and the four are excellent.
“Everyone knows it, so you have to reduce this participation as much as possible, knowing that it is going to happen, to accept it.”
